“Of the Kingdom of Borno.”

“The inhabitants in Summer go all naked, except at their waists, which they cover with a piece of leather: but all Winter they are clad in skins, and have beds of skins also. They embrace no religion at all, being neither Christians, Mahometans, nor Jews, nor of any other profession, but living after a brutish manner, and having wives and children in common: and (as I understood of a certain Merchant that abode a long time among them) they have no proper names at all, but every one is nick-named according to his length, his fatness, or some other qualitie. They have a most puissant Prince, being lineally descended from the Lybian people called Bardoa: horsemen he hath in a continual readiness, to the number of 3000, and an huge number of footmen, for all his subjects are so serviceable and obedient unto him, that whensoever he commandeth them, they will arme themselves and follow him whither he pleaseth to conduct them. They paye unto him none other tribute but the tithes of all their corne: neither hath this King any revenues to maintain his Estate, but only such spoils as he getteth from his next enimes by often invasions and assaults.”

—“Yet the King seemeth to be marveilous rich; for his spurs, his bridles, platters, dishes, pots, and other vessels wherein his meat and drink are brought to the table, are all of pure gold: yea, and the chains of his dogs and hounds are of gold also. Howbeit this King is extremely covetous, for he had much rather pay his debts in slaves than in gold. In this kingdome are great multitudes of Negros and of other people, the names of whom (bicause I tarried here but one month) I could not well note.”

[36]Teuchira was situated near the present Tolemata; antiently Ptolemais.

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